A nurse is counseling a caregiver who has a special needs child regarding the support of socio-emotional development and language skills. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse make?

Choice A: Proportionate Mortality
Proportionate mortality refers to the proportion of deaths in a specified population over a period of time attributable to different causes. It is expressed as a percentage of the total number of deaths. While this measure can provide insight into the relative importance of different causes of death, it does not give the actual mortality rate for each cause. Therefore, it is not the best measure for identifying the top three causes of death in a county.

Choice B: Crude Mortality Rate
The crude mortality rate is the total number of deaths from all causes per 1,000 or 100,000 population in a given year. This measure provides an overall picture of the mortality level in a population but does not specify the causes of death. It is useful for general mortality trends but not for identifying specific causes of death.

Choice C: Cause-Specific Mortality Rate
The cause-specific mortality rate is the number of deaths from a specific cause per 100,000 population in a given year. This measure is the most appropriate for identifying the top three causes of death because it provides detailed information on the mortality rate for each specific cause. By calculating the cause-specific mortality rates, the nurse can determine which causes are the most significant contributors to mortality in the county.

Choice D: Case Fatality
Case fatality refers to the proportion of individuals diagnosed with a particular disease who die from that disease within a specified period. It is usually expressed as a percentage. While case fatality provides information on the severity of a disease, it does not give the overall mortality rate for the population or help identify the top causes of death.

Choice A: Quaternary
Quaternary prevention focuses on identifying patients at risk of over-medicalization and protecting them from unnecessary medical interventions. It aims to prevent harm from excessive or inappropriate medical care. This level of prevention is not applicable to the scenario of tube feeding, which is a necessary and appropriate medical intervention for the student's condition.

Choice B: Primary
Primary prevention aims to prevent the onset of disease or injury before it occurs. This includes measures such as vaccination, health education, and lifestyle modifications to reduce risk factors. Tube feeding does not fall under primary prevention, as it is not aimed at preventing the initial occurrence of a health issue but rather managing an existing condition.

Choice C: Tertiary
This is the correct choice. Tertiary prevention involves managing and improving the quality of life for individuals with chronic or long-term health conditions. It focuses on rehabilitation, treatment, and support to prevent complications and improve functional abilities. Helping a special needs student with tube feeding is an example of tertiary prevention, as it involves ongoing care and support to manage a chronic condition and enhance the student's well-being.

Choice D: Secondary
Secondary prevention aims to detect and treat disease or injury at an early stage to prevent progression. This includes screening programs, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment. Tube feeding is not a form of secondary prevention, as it is not focused on early detection or intervention but rather on managing an established health condition.